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Donald Trump launches 60 missiles in US strike after Syria chemical attack – live | Donald Trump launches 60 missiles in US strike after Syria chemical attack – live |
(35 minutes later) | |
4.29am BST | |
04:29 | |
What we know so far | |
Claire Phipps | |
The US has launched a missile strike against Syria, targeting al-Shayrat airbase close to Homs, from where it said this week’s sarin nerve gas attack on Khan Sheikhun was launched. | |
The Pentagon said 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from warships USS Ross and Porter in the eastern Mediterranean on Thursday at 8.45ET (Friday 3.45am Syria). | |
Donald Trump said the strike was a direct response to the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 people: | |
Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. | |
It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. | |
There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the chemical weapons convention, and ignored the urging of the UN security council. | |
Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically. | |
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said Russia bore responsibility for its handling of the 2013 deal that was supposed to remove Assad’s chemical weapons stockpile: | |
They would act as the guarantor that these weapons would no longer be present in Syria. Clearly Russia has failed in its responsibility to deliver on that commitment from 2013. | |
Either Russia has been complicit or Russia has been simply incompetent in its ability to deliver on its end of that agreement. | |
Tillerson said there had been “no discussions” with Moscow before or since the strike. | |
But the Pentagon confirmed that Russia – a key Assad ally – had been informed in advance of the strike through military channels: | |
Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. | |
The Pentagon also said it believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure”. | |
Read our latest news story here: | |
Updated | |
at 4.31am BST | |
4.21am BST | |
04:21 | |
Tillerson contradicts Pentagon over Russia contact | |
Contradicting information from the Pentagon – which said “Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line” – secretary of state Rex Tillerson told reporters that Russia had not been alerted: | |
There were no discussions or prior contacts, nor had there been any since the attack with Moscow. | |
The contradiction could be explained if Tillerson is referring to political channels, and the Pentagon military ones. | |
Updated | |
at 4.23am BST | |
4.16am BST | |
04:16 | |
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also lent his backing to the strike: | |
Very rare 6am (Jerusalem time) statement from Netanyahu just now: "Israel fully supports President Trump's decision" | |
4.10am BST | |
04:10 | |
Though Trump had neither congressional nor international authorisation for the strike, prominent US politicians immediately lent him political cover. | |
House speaker Paul Ryan called the strike “appropriate and just”: | |
Earlier this week the Assad regime murdered dozens of innocent men, women, and children in a barbaric chemical weapons attack. Tonight the United States responded. This action was appropriate and just. | |
These tactical strikes make clear that the Assad regime can no longer count on American inaction as it carries out atrocities against the Syrian people. | |
Resolving the years-long crisis in Syria is a complex task, but Bashar al-Assad must be held accountable and his enablers must be persuaded to change course. | |
I look forward to the administration further engaging Congress in this effort. | |
4.02am BST | |
04:02 | |
Ben Jacobs | |
The missile strikes drew mixed reaction on Capitol Hill. Some welcomed what they saw as long overdue action against the human rights abuses of the Assad regime, while others were troubled by the lack of congressional authorisation. | |
In a joint statement, senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham welcomed Trump’s actions as sending “an important message the United States will no longer stand idly by as Assad, aided and abetted by Putin’s Russia, slaughters innocent Syrians with chemical weapons and barrel bombs”. | |
The two prominent hawks saw Thursday’s action as a “credible first step” and urged a “new comprehensive strategy” in the region starting with taking Assad’s air force “out of the fight”. | |
In contrast, Senator Rand Paul, who has long been skeptical of military intervention, expressed his scepticism and demanded a congressional vote: | |
While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the US was not attacked. The President needs congressional authorisation for military action and I call on him to come to Congress for a proper debate on our role. | |
Our prior interventions in this region have done nothing to make us safer and Syria will be no different. | |
Democrats struck a more unified tone and emphasised the need for congressional approval. Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, said in a statement: | |
Any longer-term or larger military operation in Syria by the Trump administration will need to be done in consultation with the Congress … | |
It is the president’s responsibility to inform the legislative branch and the American people about his larger policy in Syria, as well as the legal basis for this action and any additional military activities in that country. | |
This was echoed in far more strident terms by Ted Lieu, a Democratic congressman from California, who proclaimed the move “illegal”: | |
March to war in #Syria without a strategy is both dangerous and ILLEGAL. #Trump cannot go to war against #Assad w/o congressional approval. pic.twitter.com/OFepCDLUVH | |
3.53am BST | 3.53am BST |
03:53 | 03:53 |
In Florida, national security adviser HR McMaster has told reporters that Trump was given three options for retaliation against Syria following the chemical weapons attack. | In Florida, national security adviser HR McMaster has told reporters that Trump was given three options for retaliation against Syria following the chemical weapons attack. |
McMaster says the president told advisers to focus on two of those options, and made the final decision on Thursday. | McMaster says the president told advisers to focus on two of those options, and made the final decision on Thursday. |
Tillerson says the strikes show that Trump is “prepared to take decisive action to respond to heinous acts”. | Tillerson says the strikes show that Trump is “prepared to take decisive action to respond to heinous acts”. |
Happening now: Sec of State Rex Tillerson and National Security adviser H.R. McMaster answering questions form media re: Syria w/ @PressSec. pic.twitter.com/2kYr2vZ7Ub | Happening now: Sec of State Rex Tillerson and National Security adviser H.R. McMaster answering questions form media re: Syria w/ @PressSec. pic.twitter.com/2kYr2vZ7Ub |
3.48am BST | 3.48am BST |
03:48 | 03:48 |
Julian Borger | Julian Borger |
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Shayrat airbase had been used to store chemical weapons used by the regime until 2013, when a deal was struck with the US and Russia to remove its declared arsenal. | Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Shayrat airbase had been used to store chemical weapons used by the regime until 2013, when a deal was struck with the US and Russia to remove its declared arsenal. |
Davis said it was used to deliver the chemical weapons dropped on Khan Sheikhun on Tuesday, but could not confirm whether any chemical weapons were still at the site. | Davis said it was used to deliver the chemical weapons dropped on Khan Sheikhun on Tuesday, but could not confirm whether any chemical weapons were still at the site. |
However, he stressed that the targets were chosen carefully to avoid the risk of hitting those weapons: | However, he stressed that the targets were chosen carefully to avoid the risk of hitting those weapons: |
This was a place that prior to 2013 was one of their main chemical weapons storage sites. A lot of those sites were dismantled at the time as they were seeking to comply, but they obviously began using them again for that purpose. | This was a place that prior to 2013 was one of their main chemical weapons storage sites. A lot of those sites were dismantled at the time as they were seeking to comply, but they obviously began using them again for that purpose. |
The things that were targeted were not where we assessed chemical weapons were. | The things that were targeted were not where we assessed chemical weapons were. |
The places we targeted were the things that made the airfield operate. It’s the petroleum facilities, it’s the aircraft radar, what they use for takeoff and landing, as well as air-defence radar. It’s the sites that are specific to making it operate, as well as hangars and aircraft themselves. | The places we targeted were the things that made the airfield operate. It’s the petroleum facilities, it’s the aircraft radar, what they use for takeoff and landing, as well as air-defence radar. It’s the sites that are specific to making it operate, as well as hangars and aircraft themselves. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.59am BST | at 3.59am BST |
3.40am BST | 3.40am BST |
03:40 | 03:40 |
Here’s the full statement from the Pentagon about the strike. | Here’s the full statement from the Pentagon about the strike. |
Key points: | Key points: |
Russia was alerted in advance. | Russia was alerted in advance. |
59 Tomahawk land attack missiles (TLAM) were launched from two US warships, USS Porter and USS Ross, in the Mediterranean. | 59 Tomahawk land attack missiles (TLAM) were launched from two US warships, USS Porter and USS Ross, in the Mediterranean. |
Targets at the al-Shayrat airbase included aircraft, shelters, ammunition supplies, fuel storage and radars. | Targets at the al-Shayrat airbase included aircraft, shelters, ammunition supplies, fuel storage and radars. |
The US believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure”. | The US believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure”. |
PENTAGON: At direction of POTUS, U.S. forces conducted cruise missile strike against a Syrian Air Force airfield today at about 8:40 pm EDT pic.twitter.com/TEac56cQee | PENTAGON: At direction of POTUS, U.S. forces conducted cruise missile strike against a Syrian Air Force airfield today at about 8:40 pm EDT pic.twitter.com/TEac56cQee |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.42am BST | at 3.42am BST |
3.30am BST | 3.30am BST |
03:30 | 03:30 |
Pentagon: Russia notified before strike | Pentagon: Russia notified before strike |
Spencer Ackerman | Spencer Ackerman |
The Pentagon has confirmed it used a hotline for minimising the risk of aerial combat between US and Russian jets in eastern Syria to alert Russia of the strike against its Syrian client. | The Pentagon has confirmed it used a hotline for minimising the risk of aerial combat between US and Russian jets in eastern Syria to alert Russia of the strike against its Syrian client. |
The Russians are sure to have routed that warning to Assad, raising immediate questions about what the strike will have accomplished, and also signalling that the US does not seek escalation. | The Russians are sure to have routed that warning to Assad, raising immediate questions about what the strike will have accomplished, and also signalling that the US does not seek escalation. |
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: | Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: |
Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. US military planners took precautions to minimise risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield. | Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. US military planners took precautions to minimise risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield. |
We are assessing the results of the strike. Initial indications are that this strike has severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment at Shayrat airfield, reducing the Syrian government’s ability to deliver chemical weapons. | We are assessing the results of the strike. Initial indications are that this strike has severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment at Shayrat airfield, reducing the Syrian government’s ability to deliver chemical weapons. |
The use of chemical weapons against innocent people will not be tolerated. | The use of chemical weapons against innocent people will not be tolerated. |
3.27am BST | 3.27am BST |
03:27 | 03:27 |
Tillerson tells reporters that the strike was “proportionate” and the US has a “high degree of confidence” that sarin gas was used in this week’s attack in Idlib. | Tillerson tells reporters that the strike was “proportionate” and the US has a “high degree of confidence” that sarin gas was used in this week’s attack in Idlib. |
3.24am BST | 3.24am BST |
03:24 | 03:24 |
Tillerson: Russia 'complicit or incompetent' over Syria chemical weapons deal | Tillerson: Russia 'complicit or incompetent' over Syria chemical weapons deal |
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson and national security adviser HR McMaster are also now briefing reporters at Mar-a-Lago shortly; they were in Florida to consult with Trump ahead of the strike. | US secretary of state Rex Tillerson and national security adviser HR McMaster are also now briefing reporters at Mar-a-Lago shortly; they were in Florida to consult with Trump ahead of the strike. |
Tillerson says Russia has failed to carry out its responsibilities under the 2013 agreement designed to rid Assad of his chemical weapons stocks. | Tillerson says Russia has failed to carry out its responsibilities under the 2013 agreement designed to rid Assad of his chemical weapons stocks. |
He says Moscow was “either complicit or incompetent” in its handling of the deal. | He says Moscow was “either complicit or incompetent” in its handling of the deal. |
3.19am BST | 3.19am BST |
03:19 | 03:19 |
Here’s the Trump speech – you can read the comments in full a little further down this blog here: | Here’s the Trump speech – you can read the comments in full a little further down this blog here: |
.@POTUS Trump delivers statement on targeted, military strike on airfield in #Syria from where chemical attack was launched. pic.twitter.com/N54VvI88sc | .@POTUS Trump delivers statement on targeted, military strike on airfield in #Syria from where chemical attack was launched. pic.twitter.com/N54VvI88sc |
3.12am BST | 3.12am BST |
03:12 | 03:12 |
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has also welcomed the strike. In a statement, he said: | Florida Senator Marco Rubio has also welcomed the strike. In a statement, he said: |
I salute the bravery and skill of the men and women of our armed forces who conducted this mission. Tonight’s strike against the Assad regime’s Shayrat airbase will hopefully diminish his capacity to commit atrocities against innocent civilians. | I salute the bravery and skill of the men and women of our armed forces who conducted this mission. Tonight’s strike against the Assad regime’s Shayrat airbase will hopefully diminish his capacity to commit atrocities against innocent civilians. |
By acting decisively against the very facility from which Assad launched his murderous chemical weapons attack, President Trump has made it clear to Assad and those who empower him that the days of committing war crimes with impunity are over. | By acting decisively against the very facility from which Assad launched his murderous chemical weapons attack, President Trump has made it clear to Assad and those who empower him that the days of committing war crimes with impunity are over. |
What must follow is a real and comprehensive strategy to ensure that Assad is no longer a threat to his people and to US security, and that Russia no longer has free rein to support his regime. | What must follow is a real and comprehensive strategy to ensure that Assad is no longer a threat to his people and to US security, and that Russia no longer has free rein to support his regime. |